The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1887-08-03
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.


Ia the spring of A ID. zS Piace-ln Galilee.
SPECIAL MENTION
The Sea Of Gaiitee. Ibis interesting sheet
OF water-whlch, besides the name given
above. Ia also called in the New Testament
tue soa OF Genesareth and the Sea OF IL
beras, aud in the Old Testament the Sea OF
Chlnnereth or Cinneroth lis lake about
thlrieel miles long and six broad Ii lies In
the bottom Of great basin, and IA undoubt-
edly OF volcanic origin. Although the Jordan
pours int n, led and turbld, from the north,
and numerous warm brackish springs empty
into 1t also, its waters are cool, sweet, and
clear. The beach abounds with sparkling
pebbles, and its blue depths swarm now, as
of old, with fish, although the ancient trade
OF Andrew aud Simon Is almost entirely aban-
doned The region bordering on the lake
was in the time of Christ the most densely
peopled IN all Palestine. No less than nine
cities stood OH Its very shores; while many
villages and hamlets dotted the plains and
hillsides around. There is little now indeed,
III Its appearance to recall the scenes wit
messed there in the Savlor's time. The popu-
lous cities are no more OF the nine, but
wretched fragments Of two remain. few
miserable mud huts occupy the site of Mag
dala, and liberals alone retains even a rem
nant OF its former greatness. But the memory
of His presence makes the little lake and its
desoate shores dear TO the hearts of His dis
ciples forever (The E1ami,terl
lSimOns Of tie i6ie.-There are nine in ali,
as follows: Q) the brother OF Jesus Matt.
IL: So; c2) the Canaanite Mark B: lS); C3) of
Cyrene (Acts q: -; a. the leper John ~ y;
(5) the Pharisee luke z: 4O); o. Magus (Acts
So % Peter; ~ the tanner (Acts g. 43); COZ
father of Judas John ID: 2, 26)
The apostle Peter.-The following are the
chief facts In his history: Name changed from
Simon; was married and owned his home
Matt 8: l4; had been a disciple of John the
Baptist; with James and John was specially
favor by Christ; was recognized leader among
the dlsclp es; was active, energetic, impetu-
Gus; steadied by the resurrection and ener-
gized at Pentecost he was the leader and or
ganizer of the early church.
The First Disciples Why should Jesus have
chosen men OF this occupations For several
reasons They were honest and capable men.
They had never been corrupted by the preju-
dlces of the schools of thought IN Jerusalem.
They were trained in their eyes and ears by
their business as fishermen, and hence made
good witnesses of what Jesus said and did.
They had faith in Jesus and in his mission.
They had good reputation with the cities on
the coast of Galilee. They we're good subor-
dinates, ready to obey their Master When
Jesus said, Follow me-" they did So They
did not say, Il have married a wife, and can
not Gomez" or, Il have just bought five yoke
of oxen, and desire to prove them;" or, Lord
will, but let me first bury my father" Nor,
on the other hand, were they so eager as to
volunteer their services like some without
contemplating the hardships that must ensue.
They attended to their own business till
calleu 10 n nlbHer One ana lDen tney Went
Demoniacdt Possession Under the same
general head are classed in Scripture "de-
moniacs," persons having evil" or "uncean"
spirits, and those possessed of devils" These
words and phrases are generally exact trans
lations of the original The spirits them
selves are spoken OF as real beings at enmity
with God, and having power to aifiict men
not only with disease, but with spiritual pol
luton also DANES ii. 10; Rev. xvi. 14-the
word ~unclean" having nearly always re-
Matt viii. 20; Luke ". Al Mark v. SIP;
Acts xix. Is; Matt viii 29) The symptoms
OF person possessed of devil were often
the same a. in case of bodily disease, viz,
dumbness, blindness, epilepsy, or those seen
in cases of ordinary insanity Matt tx. 81,
xii. - Mark tx 1921; Matt viii. 2S). The
phrase, ito have devil, Is used in connec-
ton with, and as apparently equivalent to,
Ito be mad" IN John X. - But demoniacs
are frequently specifically distIngu shed from
persons suffering simply from disease Matt.
w. "a; Mark j. 81 xvi. H. Is: Luke vi. II, 49,,
! from which il would appear that thew had
| special symptoms also.
The Synagogue Originated during the
! captivity, as substitute for the temple
| afterwards continued in connection with the
! temple; very numerous in the time OF Christ
every town am village having one or more !;
! Jerusalem is said to have hal 450; was so
! built, that the worshipers on entering looked
| towards Jerusalem; generally built by the
/ y
! after dedication 1t could never be used for any
| secular purpose. In it's officers aud services
the synagogue copied, though not in detail.
after those of the temple; services were held
! daily at the third sixth and ninth hours; and
| opportunity was given to any 10 take part,
| after the more formal services; this privilege
was improved by Christ and his disciples, and
so the synagogue became a splendid medium
for the dissemination of the truth, and the
gospel
| TOPIC AND OTTTI me
| In this lesson We see Jesus gathering his
| forces for the worl1 conquest; therefore, il
may well lie matter Of careful study by all
who are interested in prosecuting the strug-
| gle. Jesus calling to his service. CD He calls
others after he himself has begun the work
! ", 10; (2) he calls those who are already be-
levers ". lS); C) he calls from the humblest
walks of life ". lS); G) he calls to personal
an intimate companionship ". 49,; % he calls
70 finite and sacred service ". 49,: (6) he
calls for prompt obedience and the greatest
sacrifices Tvs. p, 22); O. he ca Is 10 great and
ur. ent work Tvs. %, 24) ~ he calls to a man
ifOld work, and sufficient TO tax the powers OF
the most capable.
SEED TRUTHs AND GERM THOUGHTS
l. The preacher may die but the truth lives
| ". II, cf. ch. 3: = and 4: ~
.. How much nearer is the kingdom of
heaven to those who live now ". III
3. Walking and seeing with spiritual aims
and for spiritual ends ". 1S).
4. We should invite, inspire and provoke
one another TO service ". 49,
B. We should follow Christ that we may
serve him; and faithful following is best
| equipment for service ". 19).
q shall we quit fishing and take to preach
ing, or quit preaching and take to fishing ".
| 20).
T. What q days work-Peter, James and
John all won To the Masters service ". Ply!
s "Straightway" is the only safe motto IN
the spiritual life ". ~
9 Not even a airy work or the nearest
re alive should keep in disobedience TO
Chtist's command ". 22).
10 true call to service must be from
God w. 10.
H. Jesus Christ, the model minister: Q)
in his preaching; C2) in his watching AMI
studying humin nature and life; (3) in his
gathering and organizing forces az III his
| sympathy, adaptation, and condescension
(5l as teacher and leader; Q6) in his mani
fold labors; ca in his untring zeal and con-
secraton.
IL Germs of the early church: the first
sermon, the first disciples, the first mission
airy tour the first miracles, the first revival
IL Missionary teaching from the lesson.
Growth by units will quickly take the whole
world for Christ Let single Christian win
one soul in a year. and these two win one
each in year, and these four win one each
year, and the whole world will be evangelical
in an incredibly short time.